Monday, June 30

Grilled Steak Tacos with Watermelon-Mango-Jicama Salsa

How much watermelon does the average American consume each year? (answer below)

A. 6 poundsB. 16 poundsC. 38 poundsD. 312 pounds

It's already the Fourth of July, and if you haven't had a watermelon yet, then this is the week to start. I mean, really, a Fourth of July without watermelon is like a birthday without a cake.

I love eating plain watermelon in its simple, sweet glory, but it’s also fantastic in savory dishes. The key is to pair it with contrasting flavors such as salty cheeses, bitter salad greens, acidic vinegars, or smoky grilled meats to balance the watermelon's sweetness.

In fact, why not try something different for this Fourth of July -- like my new Grilled Steak Tacos with Watermelon-Mango-Jicama Salsa? For this dish, char-grilled steak is topped with a sweet and tangy watermelon salsa and crumby Mexican cheese. This salsa is so refreshing that you may want to make extra so your guests can dunk their tortilla chips in it while they're waiting for the steak to grill.

Then, while they're munching, you can show off your watermelon knowledge: the average American eats 16 pounds of watermelon a year! Course, I have over 20 pounds a year myself, so there a few people out there eating less than 16 pounds to average things out.

Heat the grill to high. Season both sides of the steak with salt and pepper. Place steaks on the grill, close cover, and cook until charred, about 5 minutes. Closing the cover will help create a charred exterior and a softer, juicer interior. Turn steaks over, lower the heat to medium-high, and cook another 3-4 minutes for a medium-rare steak or 5-6 minutes for a medium steak. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

Heat tortillas on the top rack of grill for about for 1 minute per side or until warmed through.

Place the sliced steak on the tortilla shell, spoon some salsa on top, and sprinkle with cheese. Serve immediately.

Note: Cotija Anejo is a mild flavored Mexican cheese with a crumbly texture and can be found in the refrigerator section of most major supermarkets.

65 comments:

I love watermelon with savory contrasts, too. There is a wonderful recipe in Julia Child's Cooking with Master Chefs for a fruit salad of watermelon and canteloupe, I think, with a spicy Thai peanut dressing. Delicious!

Your salsa looks amazing; I will have to try it this weekend! We must be on the same wavelength, because I made a cucumber and raspberry salad tonight that used many of the same flavors. (One of the recipes I'm working on for July: Month of the Cucumber). Beautiful pictures with your post, too!

This is very creative Susan. I could never have imagined anything but Watermelon and Halloumi. However, in Greece they make the most amazing spoon sweet with the peel of the watermelon (of course after peeling the green part).BTW voting has started for the Fat Chefs or Skinny Gourmets? and you can vote for your favourite recipe and your friends can vote for you.

I never would have thought to include watermelon in a salsa (or anything outside of dessert, to be honest), but this looks too good to pass up (not to mention how festive it looks). I definitely have to try this one out.

This is such a good post! Wow, thanks for all the great ideas. I think I may shift my focus this 4th of July and go with your steak tacos and salsa. My mouth is watering looking at that bowl of fresh ingredients. Wow, that would also be good on grilled salmon. Or, even scattered on fresh lettuce leaves. Or, fish tacos. I could go on with this one. Very nice! Thanks!Have a happy 4th!Melissa

Great post! I am a fellow SD food blogger. Gonna definitely try your watermelon jicama salad. I make a watermelon, cucumber balsamic basil salad I need to get around to posting.But yours is looking pretty good.

Your salsa looks great! There is a Mediterranean restaurant near my house in Portland, Or. where they serve a similar salad combination. The fruit is cut larger (1" cubes) and add some salt cured olives and feta crumbles.

i never knew that watermelon was associated with July 4 th ! And also u have used them in so many savoury dishes. Nice .... i even have one lying in the kitchen. I'm making the salsa today for sure. Thanks !

Right on watermelon!! I often have watermelon for a glass of water;) so much nicer! My aunt & I used to have the seed spitting contest all summer. Watermelon, jicama and mango that sounds terrific indeed.

Just fantastic Susan. You now have 2 recipes in my fave recipes of 2008 so far - I am going to have to make the difficult decision of using just one when I announce them at Xmas time! Looking forward to making this with Cerys soon.

wow! this looks delicious! i love the combination of steak and watermelon. I just bought a huge one for tomorrow, so now I have another thing to do with it :) I am making watermelon cucumber mojitos, but I doubt that will use the whole watermelon ;)

Susan, when I am still dreaming about your strawberry-n-pork and kumquat-n-watercress, you've already put watermelon in salsa! You are the driving force of new cuisine!Have a wonderful summer Susan! I'm going away for vacation, will "see" you soon!

Susan, thins sounds simply refreshing and perfect for the summer. i love mixing watermelon with savory foods. as a matter of fact i get funnly looks when i sprinkle watermelon with fresh cracked pepper!!

I think I'm in love with your salsa... The colours, the flavours, the textures - the whole lot! I think hubby is going to have to fire up the grill this weekend... I also found another novel use for watermelon this week - use it instead of strawberries in a Pimms cocktail. Too delicious.